Questions of firefighter willingness to change and the need to delicately negotiate recommendations were raised about the Alpha Fire Co. at the State College Borough Council meeting last night.

The Borough Council voted on a list of recommendations regarding a report focused on leadership and staffing.

The report will be delivered to the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG), who funds the fire company, on Friday. "The corporate structure seems more ready to look at change than the line structure," Borough Council president Tom Daubert said. "There seems to be a tremendous perception that there is a misalignment."

The suggestions included concerns that the consultant who worked on the study assumed the study area was largely single-family homes, which are not as fire-safe as their dormitory and high-rise apartment complex counterparts.

The need to move away from a "good ol' boy" nature of the volunteer fire company and for access to the fire company's constitution were also on the list, borough manager Tom Fountaine said.

"They commented in ways that makes me think they read the bylaws," fire company member Carmine Prestia said. "If they didn't and they still don't, I'll personally deliver a copy."

Prestia said he thought the idea of resistance from some fire company members was shocking. "I think it's outright wrong," he said. "We're ready to participate when the strategic planning starts."

In February, a consultant performed an evaluative study of the organizational and structural operations within the Boalsburg and Alpha fire companies, resulting in the report.

Leadership, the need for an adequate number of trained firefighters and increased response time were targeted in the study.

These are critical for operating an effective fire company, finance department director Mike Groff said.

Mayor Bill Welch said it would be a good idea if the Borough Council asked for a "formal process" to be established during the strategic planning process. "All the appropriate parties should participate in public services," he said.

Borough Council member Jeff Kern said he agreed with the need for a formal entity to provide a bridge between the parties involved in the process.

"COG should establish a group of elected officials to work with and develop our list of expectations," he said.

The Borough Council also awarded the Downtown Improvement District (DID) the Fraser Street "mixed-use" facility construction project, which will include a cineplex.

DID Director Teresa Sparacino said the cineplex would house at least 10 screens, in order to compete with the movie theater on Premier Drive.

Sparacino said the DID was considering 10 to 12 screens. "I don't see us wavering but they'll have ultimate control," she said, referring to the Borough Council. The expected completion date is November 2005.